Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the financial impact to UK businesses of the loss of mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the UK and the EU since January 2021; and if he will make a statement.

The Professional Qualifications (PQ) Bill strengthens the UK’s ability to negotiate and deliver ambitious arrangements on the recognition of professional qualifications with current and future trade partners beyond the European Union. It means we can further empower UK regulators to strike deals on recognition with their overseas counterparts, helping UK professionals get their qualifications recognised internationally. The end of EU-based rules and new trade deals mean the landscape is changing – new transparency requirements, and the continued provision of an Assistance Centre will help professionals to navigate it. This will help spread UK skills, knowledge and innovation across the globe, and boost UK businesses exporting services beyond the EU.